2013 Summer Movie Preview

'The Wolverine' (July 26)

Target Age: Older Tweens and Teens

Buzz Factor: X-Men and ninjas. Adamantium, indestructibility, and the promise of death for someone's who's had enough of it all. The latest film in the X-Men universe isn't an origin story or a prequel; it's a close study of the most emotionally complicated member of the X-Men as he deals with the burden of his mutation. Hugh Jackman reprises the lead role, this time battling Japanese assassins and Yakuza underworld thugs. Expect plenty of intense action scenes, fighting, and more. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Twentieth Century Fox)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

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2013 Summer Movi...Summer and movies go together like ice cream and sprinkles. But it can be hard to decide which of the big-budget sequels, superhero adventures, and eye-popping animated flicks you and your kids are most likely to love (and want to spend money on!). From the sure-to-be-blockbuster "Iron Man 3" to a look at Mike and Sulley's college days in "Monsters University," here's a cheat sheet to help you decide which high-profile summer movies are appropriate for your family. —Common Sense Media (Photos: Marvel/Paramount, Disney/Pixar)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: As usual, the summer movie season kicks off with a big-budget action flick; this time it's the much-anticipated third film in the "Iron Man" franchise. Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark is back to face his toughest foe to date -- one who has the power to destroy the one thing Tony loves more than himself: his beloved Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). Expect the usual mix of explosive action and arrogant humor, with fewer playboy antics than in previous installments. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Marvel/Paramount)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: Baz Luhrmann is the sort of stylish director who can make any material sparkle and shine with vivid colors and unforgettable music, so it's no wonder even teens who've yet to read "The Great Gatsby" are eager to see Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, and Tobey Maguire star in this adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel. But be prepared, given the literary source and Luhrmann's love of drama, for loads of passion and a good bit of violence, as well as a lot of social drinking. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Warner Bros.)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: The second installment in director J.J. Abrams' phenomenally successful "Star Trek" reboot finds Chris Pine's James T. Kirk settling, with a great deal of uncertainty, into his captain's chair. But the real buzz is the guy on the other side of the viewscreen: Benedict Cumberbach's ultrasuave ultravillain has the message boards lit up with rumors that he's playing Khan, the nemesis from 1982's "Star Trek II." Expect lots of sci-fi action violence and peril. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Paramount)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: The summer's first big animated adventure is a nature lover's dream, courtesy of the team responsible for "Ice Age" and "Rio." Teen protagonist Mary Katherine (voiced by Amanda Seyfried) is the daughter of a kooky professor (Jason Sudeikis) who's convinced there are miniature guardians of the forest. She finds out he's right when she's magically shrunken and encounters the Leafmen and their enchanted world. Mary Katherine could be this year's Merida as she helps the Leafmen defend the woods from evil. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Blue Sky Studios)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: There's no end in sight for this 12-year-old high-octane racing franchise. After five movies that concentrated on the underground car racing scene, "Fast 6" features a broader, around-the-world action-adventure that promises military-grade explosions more typically seen in the "Bond" or "Mission: Impossible" series. Wrestler-turned-movie star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson co-stars as the agent assigned to reassemble the team. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Universal)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: What is it about the adorable black-and-white birds of Antarctica that we find so irresistible? No matter how many documentaries or animated movies come out about them, everyone still yearns for more about penguins and their lifestyle. David Attenborough's documentary follows a male King penguin as he attempts to keep his baby fledgling alive, and we can guarantee penguin cuteness overload (as well as the strong possibility of some poignant moments). —Common Sense Media (Photo: nWave Pictures)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: Combining the satisfying suspense of a heist thriller, the outsized personalities of an ensemble cast, and the promise of something more -- out-of-this world science? actual magic? -- "Now You See Me" follows four young stage magicians who manage to rob a Parisian bank while performing in a Vegas auditorium. Jesse Eisenberg, a member of the magician's quartet, reprises his fast-talking performance from "The Social Network." —Common Sense Media (Photo: Summit Entertainment)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: Will Smith and his son Jaden Smith reunite on screen for the first time since "The Pursuit of Happyness." They play a stern general and his mischievous son in a post-apocalyptic future where humans have taken up residence on a planet light years away from a ruined Earth. In addition to the Smiths, the big reason to see "After Earth" is to find out whether director M. Night Shyamalan can redeem his reputation with a commercial or critical success. Expect sci-fi action and some intense moments. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Columbia Pictures)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: Any reboot of this pillar of the American comic book canon is going to get the fanboys excited. With Zack Snyder ("300") directing and Christopher Nolan (the "Dark Knight" trilogy) producing, hopes are high that this latest version of the Superman origin story will relaunch a durable franchise. British import Henry Cavill anchors this version of the Man of Steel story, mentored by Krypton father Jor-El (Russell Crowe) and earth father Jonathan (Kevin Costner). It promises to be darker and moodier than previous incarnations. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Universal)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: "Monsters, Inc." was one of Pixar's early fan favorites, so we expect everyone -- even teens who pretend they're too old for animated movies -- to line up to see one-eyed Mike Wazowski (again voiced by Billy Crystal) and larger than life Sulley (John Goodman) as college "frenemies" before they became best buddies. The campus pranks and dorm-room jokes should appeal to everyone, from parents to preschoolers. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Disney/Pixar)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: Who will survive the zombie apocalypse? If the trailer for this adaptation of Max Brooks' book is any indication, almost no one but Brad Pitt and his family. Pitt stars as a United Nations employee who's tasked with searching the world for a way to stop the inexplicable outbreak that's turning people into the bloodthirsty undead. Although it's rated PG-13, the unrelenting violence of this post-apocalyptic thriller is likely best suited for mature teens and adults.—Common Sense Media (Photo: Paramount Pictures)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: This might seem like a retread of this spring's R-rated bullet-fest "Olympus Has Fallen," but star Channing Tatum gives this Washington, D.C.-set action-thriller a (hopefully) somewhat less graphically violent spin. Jamie Foxx plays the besieged president, and director Roland Emmerich, master of the disaster film ("Independence Day," "2012") promises some spectacular explosions. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Columbia Pictures)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: Gru and his three adopted daughters -- Margo, Edith, and Agnes -- return with their army of hilarious yellow Minions. In this sequel to 2010's hit animated comedy, Gru (again voiced by Steve Carell) is recruited into the Anti-Villain League to help defeat a new global threat, the nefarious Eduardo (Al Pacino). With a hip soundtrack, those laugh-aloud Minions, and the adorable girls, "Despicable Me 2" looks like a no-brainer for families with kids of all ages. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Universal Pictures)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: Disney introduces another generation to the legendary Western do-gooder and his enigmatic Native American sidekick. As Tonto, Johnny Depp reteams with director Gore Verbinski ("Rango" and the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films) and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Armie Hammer, who played the prince in "Mirror Mirror," dons the white hat and black mask. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Walt Disney Pictures)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: Comedian BFFs Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Kevin James return for another comedy about a lifelong bromance that gets the married-with-kids men into a lot of gag-filled situations. In this sequel to 2010's "Grown Ups," the gang gets their borderline (and sometimes not-so-borderline)inappropriate laughs on with help from friends including Andy Samberg, Jon Lovitz, Taylor Lautner, and Shaquille O'Neal. Expect crude/sexually tinged humor, strong language, and even some nudity. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Paramount Pictures)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: Guillermo Del Toro, who boasts Hollywood’s most fertile imagination for monsters, unleashes an apocalyptic onslaught of aliens hundreds of feet tall who emerge from the oceans, battled by equally colossal robots piloted by a pair of humans. An intense, big-budget, visually rich spectacular (starring "Sons of Anarchy" rivals Charlie Hunnam and Ron Perlman) looks full of extraterrestrial baddies, bots, and battles. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Warner Bros.)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: Ryan Reynolds stars in this "Men in Black"-meets-the-afterlife action comedy opposite Jeff Bridges. Both play undead police officers in the Rest in Peace Department. They travel on Earth looking like an elderly Chinese grandpa and an attractive blonde as they attempt to kill evil supernatural creatures. Based on the trailer, you can expect gross-out humor, creepy creatures, and some suggestive jokes. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Universal Pictures)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: In this sequel to the surprisingly successful 2010 retired-spies action comedy, Bruce Willis and his past-their-prime team of spies and assassins must track down a stolen nuclear bomb. Mary-Louise Parker, who was a highlight of the original with her transformation from terrified victim to excited participant, again joins the adventure. John Malkovich returns with his psychotic deadpan, and Anthony Hopkins (who else?) appears as the new baddie. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Summit Entertainment)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: X-Men and ninjas. Adamantium, indestructibility, and the promise of death for someone's who's had enough of it all. The latest film in the X-Men universe isn't an origin story or a prequel; it's a close study of the most emotionally complicated member of the X-Men as he deals with the burden of his mutation. Hugh Jackman reprises the lead role, this time battling Japanese assassins and Yakuza underworld thugs. Expect plenty of intense action scenes, fighting, and more. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Twentieth Century Fox)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: The happy-go-lucky CGI creatures can't shake the wrath of obsessed wizard Gargamel (Hank Azaria), who comes up with a new plan to trap the Smurfs in this sequel: the Naughties, a group of mischievous anti-Smurfs that kidnap Smurfette. The remaining Smurfs band together with their human pals Patrick and Grace (Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays) to once again defeat Gargamel. You can count on potty humor, slapstick, and lots of silliness -- just what tweens love. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Columbia Pictures)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: Dusty, an impressively fast crop duster (voiced by Dane Cook), wants nothing more than to compete in high-flying air shows, but he's actually afraid of heights. Committed to overcoming his phobia, Dusty enlists the help of a seasoned naval plane. Kids, especially those who like planes, trains, and automobiles, will be ready to soar with this "Cars"-like adventure. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Disney)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: Matt Damon stars in this intense, futuristic sci-fi thriller from director Neill Blomkamp (District 9). The compelling story is set in the year 2154, when Earth is riddled with crime, hunger, and poverty while the extremely rich live in "Elysium," a secure space habitat in Earth's orbit, where everything is seemingly perfect. Teens who are into sci fi -- or who've studied utopian/dystopian societies -- will be mesmerized by the plot. —Common Sense Media (Photo: TriStar Pictures)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: Rick Riordan's best-selling "Percy Jackson" series returns to the big screen for a second chance after 2010's "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief" came up short with both critics and audiences. The sequel, again starring Logan Lerman as Percy, takes the action to the Sea of Monsters (aka the Bermuda Triangle), where Percy and his Camp Half-Blood pals travel in search of the all important Golden Fleece. Riordan's army of myth-loving readers will want to check it out. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Fox 2000 Pictures)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: If any movie has a chance of reaching the box-office appeal of "The Hunger Games" or "Twilight," it's this paranormal adventure based on Cassandra Clare's phenomenally popular young adult series. There's a fierce young heroine, Clary (Lily Collins), a swoon-worthy romance with a cocky but secretly vulnerable demon hunter (Jamie Campbell Bower), and enough pulse-pounding action to satisfy teen guys, girls, and fans of supernatural adventures. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Sony)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buzz Factor: Parents, get ready for the ear-piercing shrieks, because Harry, Niall, Zayn, Liam, and Louis are in the house in 3-D! Academy Award-winning director Morgan Spurlock ("Super Size Me") follows the British boy band in this concert documentary, which is likely to end in a chorus of giddy giggles and shouts for more from 1D fans around the world. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Syco Entertainment)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.